MechChem Africa May-June 2024

Zutari receives international recognition for Wild Coast toll road

Leading consulting engineering and infrastructure advisory firm Zutari has received global recognition for its involvement in the N2 Wild Coast toll road development.

role in the Wild Coast Toll Road project in the Eastern Cape province. “Behind every successful infrastructure project is an effective stakeholder engage ment strategy. This can begin as early as during the design and even concept phase,” says Amelia Visagie, Technical Director at Zutari. “Listening to stakeholders is crucial to any project’s success. It ensures that their interests are aligned with the project’s objectives, builds trust and collaboration, and ultimately leads to better outcomes for all involved.” The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) appointed the Zutari Consortium to design and over see the construction of the national route and associated access roads in Package 4

of the seven-package N2 Wild Coast Road development. The Zutari Consortium part nered with Africa!Ignite and Wild Coast Foods to implement the SANRAL Legacy Programme, focused on empowering com munities near Package 4. A community engagement process called Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD) was adopted. It empowers com munities to identify and develop their skills, knowledge, and talents. The approach focuses on community strengths and as sets rather than on deficits and problems, stimulates active citizenship, promotes community accountability, and supports sustainable development. Investing in proactive community en gagement and development resulted in

A t the 2023 International Associa tion for Public Participation (IAP2) Core Values Awards, Zutari won the Member-at-Large Award in the Project of the Year Category and an Honour able Mention in the International Project of the Year category. This in recognition of its Amelia Visagie, Technical Director, Zutari.

A community engagement process called Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD) was adopted.

38 ¦ MechChem Africa • May-June 2024